Platform of One

Be Your Own Ultimate Global Platform

Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

With the launch of iOS 11.2, Apple fired another salvo in an ongoing war. Apple Pay Cash takes aim at payment platforms such as Venmo and Zelle Pay. If you are an Apple user, you can now send money to your friends and family by text message. Apple is not the only company engaged in creating a network platform. Today, the platform is the business. An average person has 5 social media accounts and multiple subscriptions.

Tech giants such as Facebook, Google and Amazon are busy creating massive global platforms that are nations unto themselves. Every time we post, search or buy, we vote for the success of the platform irrespective of the impact on our lives. Each of these platforms had a humble beginning but now humbles countries when it comes to size.

With technology changing every day, it is hard to be bound to one ecosystem. Consumers are growing increasingly fickle and understandably so. These macro trends mean every business model has to morph into a platform where users ride the train until the next stop. Volvo recently launched a pay-as-you go car. A program which is very similar in design to the Apple annual upgrade program.

However, think about the value you give to each platform while forgetting that you are a platform unto yourself. A source which sends and receives value from people connected to your network. The way you spend the most valuable commodity today i.e. your time will influence the connections you make and your own value to society and business. Therefore, choose wisely with an eye towards the future. While tech giants continue their march into your personal life, it’s time to harness your own power and put it to productive use. Without the right education, every platform becomes obsolete. It is time to reclaim your life by making the right choices because you are your own ultimate global platform.

This article provides tips on how to build your own platform, frameworks to value platforms and highlights the need to judiciously allocate your time to productive activities by reducing overuse of technology.

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